Ever since we moved to Vashon more than 6 years ago, I have hoped to be able to see a flying squirrel. On approaching this carcass, I had one brief second of excited recognition after realizing what I was looking at, followed by some really intense sadness. I'm still hopeful that I may yet get to see a living one...
The body was located just beyond the edge of the road in the pull-out for the Judd Creek Loop Trail. It looked as though it had probably been run over (which would be incredibly likely, if not inevitable, given the number of vehicles that park right there), but I wonder if that was actually the primary cause of death? I have heard so many first-hand accounts of people's cats either killing, injuring, or simply bringing these squirrels back home with them, that I could just as easily believe that scenario.
url: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14281576